Gas chromatographic analysis of coyote and magpie tissues for residues of compound 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate).

Tissues of coyotes and magpies administered known dosages of 1080 were analyzed for residues by an analytical method specifying gas chromatography and electron capture detection. The repeatability of the method was determined for the replicate analyses of coyote muscle tissue samples aged under different storage conditions. The average coefficient of variation (CV) was 6% for quadruplicate determinations of 1080 in fresh tissues, 12-14% for samples stored at - 10 degrees C for 30-60 days, and 24% for samples aged for 7 days at ambient temperatures. The larger CV value obtained for stored samples is attributed more to greater sample variability than to less precision of the analytical method. Residues of 1080 appear to be relatively stable in tissues; there was essentially no change in the concentration of 1080 in samples stored up to 28 days at ambient temperature. Residue levels in the muscle, heart, kidney, and intestine were comparable, slightly lower in the liver, and much higher in the stomach. The concentration of 1080 in the muscle tissue was related to the administered dosages. Correlation analyses of dosages and residue levels in coyote muscle tissue showed a correlation coefficient of 0.99 for 1080 administered by gavage, and 0.88 for 1080 administered by bait. A correlation coefficient of 0.99 was observed between dosages and mean residues in the breast muscle tissues of magpies. The average CV value was 3.5% for duplicate analyses of 1 g samples of magpie tissues.